Chapter 10 Rhea never once regretted it - not when she became a stepmother , not when her parents disapproved , and not even when they cut ties with her completely . She bore it all in silence and never said a single word to Carter about it . Because she wasn't just chasing a childhood crush . She wanted closure for herself , and more than that , she wanted to give her parents an answer . She wanted to stand tall one day and tell them that she didn't make a mistake . But now , she didn't know anymore . Carter never noticed any of her quiet sacrifice . Just as Rhea pulled herself out of her memories , Carter walked up beside her . " You're still awake ? " She didn't answer , only offering a slight nod . When emotions were pushed to the limit , silence was all that remained . Lauren entered the dining room at that moment . " Carter , you barely ate tonight . Would you like to have something now ? " Carter glanced at Rhea as she stood up and left the table . " Sure . " He and Lauren sat down to eat . But Lauren kept shifting in her seat , trying to stretch her back . Carter noticed it and asked , " What's wrong ? " " It's nothing . After the C - section and the cancer treatment , the anesthesia left some side effects . Standing too long or sleeping on a soft bed really hurts my lower back , " Lauren said , flashing him a tired smile . " But it's fine . " Carter pressed his lips into a line , then told Devan , " Switch out the mattress in the guest room . " Devan replied , " Mr. Jamison , the guest room mattresses are all the same model . " " It's really fine , Carter . I can handle this myself . Yesterday , I happened to see that the mattress in the master bedroom is the one we used to love . I'll just go buy the same one tomorrow . " That mattress had indeed been her favorite . Carter went quiet for a second , then told Devan , " Take the mattress from the master bedroom and move it to the guest room . " Devan hesitated . " That's not necessary , Carter . It's already late . Let's not trouble anyone . " Carter didn't want Rhea to get the wrong idea either . But he couldn't ignore the fact that Lauren's pain was caused by what she went through for him . Lauren made a gentle suggestion . " Why don't we just switch rooms for tonight ? That way , we don't have to bother Rhea . Once I get a new mattress tomorrow , we'll switch back . " After she said that , her hands curled into fists beneath the table . The silence at the table stretched painfully long . Eventually , Carter said , " That wouldn't be appropriate . " Chapter 10 +25 BONUS Lauren's lashes trembled , and her smile nearly broke . " You're right . That's your bedroom with Rhea , after all . " After a pause , she added , " Let's just do what you think is best . " Carter said nothing more . In the master bedroom , Rhea thought that she had misheard . " You're moving the mattress to the guest room ? " Why ? Carter appeared behind Devan and explained , " Lauren's had some back issues since giving birth . Soft mattresses make it worse . Just swap the mattress for now . She'll get a new one tomorrow . " Lauren walked over , holding her lower back . " Carter , I'd rather tough it out . I don't want to disrupt your rest . " Rhea stayed calm . " Do you need to borrow anything else ? Say it now . Let's get it over with . " Carter narrowed his eyes . " What's that supposed to mean ? " Rhea looked him straight in the eye . " I mean , stop borrowing things from me . If she has money , she can buy her own . If she doesn't , she can sleep on the floor . Got it ? " Suddenly , the air turned still . The two of them seemed to be locked in a silent standoff . Carter had never been the type to back down . With a cold look in his eyes , he let out a scoff and said to Devan , " Go move it . " Devan didn't dare disobey . Carter was his boss , after all . Within minutes , the mattress was lifted from the bed and carried out . It brushed against the strands of hair on Rhea's forehead , tickling her skin . The touch was gentle , yet somehow the pain it stirred was sharp , like it had carved open a crack in her heart